Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Masks

Hey folks of the interwebs!
Just announcing something small...

BUT FIRST...
Look at these pictures.
I'll explain in a second.























These are some digital portraits I've done.
Maybe you've seen them, maybe you haven't...
Either way... this post is an announcement.
If you like what you see, you can now get one of your own beautiful face!
If you ARE interested, email me at byfaithstudios@gmail.com
Make sure to include your name, and a photo.
Payment will be required upon completion of the image. I will not send it, until payment has been processed. (Preferably through facebook)
I charge $50 for each person in the image you want created.
Have any questions? Shoot me an email!

I look forward to working with you.
Spread the word! =D

-Jeremiah H.

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Mom's Garden

Living in a desert makes it difficult to grow much of anything.
Unless its sagebrush, cactus, or the ever prominent tumbleweed, you'll be hard pressed to find anything long-term, where there is no consistent water source.

However, there was a place of solace one could find, if you lived here, in New Mexico.
Somehow, through the dry, scorched earth, a beautiful myriad of color would burst through the mass of dull green shrubbery, and dirty blue skies. In the middle of this desolate place, my mother had planted a garden.

This was no ordinary garden, mind you.
Sturdy walls embraced the outside edge; giving shade to those plants, frail to the noon-day sun, and much-needed respite from the harsh, never-ending force, that we call wind.
Reaching further upwards, horse-fence graced the walltop, protecting the contents therein from the predators and greedy paws of would-be intruders.
Carefully cultivated soil, dark, rich, sweet smelling groundcover, gave space and nutrients to the wandering root systems of the various vegetables and flowers.
This is merely the outside. A veritable fortress, against any rodent, looking for an easy snack.

Once you pass through the creaky gate, a new world takes shape.
This world was my mom's happy place.
It wasn't hard to see why.
Strong tomato plants, with dashes of red and yellow, stand proudly along the east wall.
Daring squash plants, hugging the ground, creep along the west side.
Small marigolds, dot the ground with splashes of yellow, and orange.
In the far corner, a watermelon seed had snuck in unnoticed... It had become a monster, over the spring. Looming behind the rows of peas and carrots.
Stepping through the entry, was like stepping through a portal, to another dimension.

This was my mom's garden.

It was...

Now, it's once majestic walls, have crumbled. The ground, once intense black, now grey, and parched. The plants are no more than a mere memory...

What happened to this place?
Where did it all go?

Mom knew how to add color to a dreary situation.
She always had the right words to say.
Like the garden, she protected us... not in a commanding way... but in a way that allowed us to enjoy every bit of God's creation.
She read the Bible, giving us a strong Biblical foundation, and spiritual nutrition.
Her heart was full of His love.
When you talked to her, you would be taken to a different place. Her words of wisdom were unmatched, and genuine.

My mom's garden was merely an outpouring of who she was when she was here.

But my mom is gone... as is her garden.

The memory lingers. The love stays strong.

Her legacy will continue, in each of our own gardens... which we will plant, nurture, and care for.
Maybe one day, our garden will be added to hers.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

My Monster

I'll admit it. I've got a monster. It's an ugly beast. 
Unmanageable, Untameable, Underestimated, and unwanted.
However, with very strict regulation, it can become less of a threat.

I'm referencing, of course, the tongue - a vile demon - forged in the fire of hate, and malice. It desires to spark conflict, or deceit. It spreads out traps and manipulation, hoping to ensnare any and all who fall prey to the cunning wickedness that is an unbridled tongue.

How is it, that something so small, can have such an immense role in everything we do?
The capabilities of it, stretches far beyond the sinful nature of man. 
It can also be an exceptionally powerful tool. A tool that builds up, reinforces, or encourages others. 

The Bible says something to the effect of; "Can a spring bring forth both fresh, and saltwater?" (James 3:11) 
Why does this happen? Are we all just fakers? Are we building our own towers out of other people's bricks?
We use the same mouth to both pray to God, and then curse our neighbors. 

A lot of questions... 
What are your thoughts? 
Will you rise, and with me, work towards controlling this evil force?
Or will you let it overtake you?
The choice is yours!

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

What's in a smile?

Some use a smile as a weapon. The deadly curve, with malice lurking just behind, evil intent, and wicked planned. This vile smirk laughs in the face of gratefulness and love, and strikes down the pure and hopeful grin.

While the wretched plot, and devise and scheme, there is another form that a smile can be.

It is used commonly as a mask. A mask to hide shame, bitterness, pain, and sorrow. Happiness is easy to fake, because people don't like to accept anything less. To them, happiness = success. Regardless of how broken they are, to wear that smile, hurts even worse.

Through tears and agony, these poor souls suffer... there is yet a third face on which a smile can rest.

A face of true joy! A grateful heart is a glad one. When the wearer knows the honesty behind the grin, there is peace, and hope. Love, and warmth. 

While others try searching for it, and some try to fabricate it, only those that found it, know what it's like. 

To be 'happy' is shallow. It's only skin deep.

To have JOY is infectious. (In the best way)

The solution? 

Give thanks. =)

Thoughts? Comments?

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Sorry for the Wait...

Folks!
It's been way too long... For that, I apologize.
Seems like a million and one things have happened over the course of these past (near) two years...
I won't get into that though. Far too much backstory.
Don't leave yet! There's been something on my mind, and I'd like for you to read it, and provide input. 
Here goes.

====

Waiting. I'm always waiting. It seems to me, that the more I try to get ahead, the further behind I get.
Why is that? Am I doing something wrong? Is it just that I can't do anything? Is that simply my fate?
Fate. What a precarious word to use, so flippantly. 
Too many questions, not enough answers. 
Or maybe, just maybe, I'm just looking in the wrong places...

Sometimes it seems all I have left, is to wait. 
Perhaps... perhaps the answer is patience. 

Wait on God's plan, instead of pushing ahead, in my selfish desire, and sinful blindness.
Human nature has this innate desire to 'do it myself!' Even at a young age, it's evident.
This, in and of itself, doesn't seem wrong at all. In fact, to many, this sounds like a valuable skill. However, this self-sufficiency has bred a different species of value, then what I grew up with. 
I was taught to pray, and follow God's will. Not to prey on the weak, to fulfill my ignorant wants.
I learned the true purpose of dying to myself, so that God can and will be glorified. Not how to glorify myself with useless stuff I'll never use anyway.
My parents led by example. Living selflessly, always waiting on God's timing, no matter what.
In the end, the wait is worth it.
Why is it worth it?

That may be something you need to find out for yourself, my friend.

====

My late-night thoughts, this Saturday evening! What do you think?
Let me know!